Every Game 7 needs its hero. But taking stock of the Leafs' roster ahead of their deja vu showdown with the Bruins, it's clear a few names are more in need of a memorable Game 7 performance than others. lukefoxjukebox breaks it all down:
Others will be looked at to scratch out a little more in a 3-3 war of inches, where one extra play can be the difference.
The affable ironman continues to see important minutes in 2019 despite obvious decline. Marleau has but two assists here. It’s a stat we might have seen coming in light of his regular-season statistical cliff dive: 16 goals and 37 points in 82 games despite healthy usage on the power play and alongside offensively gifted centremen.
If Marleau can’t figure it out fast, difficult conversations must be broached around Year 3 of his contract.On the brink of running his playoff series record to 0-3 in Toronto — or joyously snapping a 15-year franchise drought — the Leafs’ handsomely compensated bench boss is understandably targeted with a microscope for every decision he makes.
“No. One hundred per cent the opposite of that piece of advice,” Babcock said Monday, calling off practice in favour of a team meeting. “I know how it works here [in Toronto]. I appreciate the help, though.” Marner, who averaged nearly three shots on goal per game in the regular season, registered 13 of them in Games 1, 2 and 3. In Games 4, 5 and 6? One shot total.
Marner is also a key cog in a penalty kill that is getting stirred into a soup and devoured something delicious.“There’s going to be ups and downs throughout the series and the games,” Marner said. “No matter what happens in the game, what happens in a shift, just stick with it… just stay in that moment. Just make sure you’re ready to go at all times.”Tavares led all Maple Leafs in goals this season with 47, shattering his career best.
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